Rotary internal-combustion engine.



MPHCAHUN FILED JUNE I8, IQIL Patented July 16, 1918.

J. P. BERGERUN. ROTARY INTERNAL CoMUsTfoN Enamf.

4 APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1B. 19H. 1,272,698. Patented Ju1y16,1918.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JASMIN PIERRE BERGERON, OF PASAENA, CALIFORNIA..

ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

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Application led June 18. 1917.

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lie it` known that l. Jisxiix Pinion-1 linufi-uox, u citizen oi' the lvniled States. reA :sidingr at Pasadena. in the eoluit \Y of Los ngeles. State ot' ('alitornia, have invented certain new and useful improvements in llotary internal-(`omhntion llngines. ot' which the following is a sperilication.

This invention has` to do with improvements` in explosion engines. and pertains partirularli' to that type ot' engine wherein the impart. of thtl exploled inixlure is direltrd toward and arts upon a rotative meniher.

The prinripal olijri-I ol nl v invention is io provide a motor ot inexpensive type. com liining sinipliritiv ot' ronstruetion, ease and economy ot' operation, with great eiiicieuci and power, having no delicate or intricate.

meehanism. and adaptable to any motor purpose l'ronl the .smallest to the largest of lstationary power requirements. tor movilizar vehicles ot' all kinds. for aeropl'anes. ocean 2Going' vessels. ete. v

lt will he notieed that as Shown herein, thish engine is a unit plant.: the engine is susreptihle to multiple expansion ot' these units ou oml shaft, each unit acting' independently ot' an) of the others, vet all add ing: to the propnlsive force. (lne of the important tentures` or'nrv invenlion is th(` provision ot' a eomliustlon rhamher separate from thtl compression cylinder. and into which tht` gas mixture is forced from the rylinder and retained in dissociation there troni during explosion. In the usualtype ot' iel'iproeatingmotor and inA man v rotary explosion engines. the action ot the piston is to compress the gras mixture 1n the evliuder wherein explosion occurs. ln my motor no explosion takes plaee in the e \'l nder and. therefore, theV rrank and pistou are not strained and racked h v violent concussion. and shocks in imparting.;V movementr to the shaft., The only purpose for which l use the pistons and cylinders is for eompressing' the. mixturt` and h y their aid toreimgr the explosive mixture into thi` separato combustion chaniher iu which explosion ot'- eurs.' From this chamber the impact forro ot' the exploded mixture is diret-ted outwardlv through a discharge opening and against the rotative member. lt .follows that as there is no dead center incident`- to explosive artion, as occurs in reeiproeatmg Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1918.

Serial No. 175,262.

engines, the dangers ot hack-tiring are eliminated; and, as the nuivements are in one continuous direction without the pound or jerk of rceilu'oc-.iting parts, the action is necessarily smooth and silent.

A special feature of noveltyY is the closure hand, whereby all dischar e openings are held securely closed until t e impact member is in proper place for the ignition of the. charge: also the provision t'or allowing' iull expansion of all metal parts Without any binding or restriction of movement.

A further feature of novelty is the method shown for overcoming the 'action of centrifugal force in its etl'ort to throw the closure hand out\\\ardl.v from Contact with the discharge openings. and to convert this undesired centrifugal actioninto a beneficial retainingr force.

A still further improvement is the method of automaticallyv openiulgr and closing the air supply as required when the motor is in action and when stopped. It is to be noted that as the aetion of the air compressor is continuous. the excess supply of air maybe stored in tanks for other uses such as filling tires, braking.r and for operating self-starters, etc.

Another novel feature consists in regulating the uumlier of explosions by controllin; the admission of the ,iras mixture to .such cylinders as desired.

l hare illustrated an embodiment of my invention in the :it'tfoiiiliii-trving drawings. in whirh Figure l is :1 lside elevation. onehalf being shown in section as seen on the line 1-1 of Fig 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical section as seen on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View of a disk valve detail as seen on the line' 3K3 of Fig. '2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through one form of my valveless combustion chamber. Fig. 5 is a view as seen ou the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged .fragmentary View showing the disk valve structure as shown in Fig. 2. Fig.- 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section through a piston rod. Fig. 8 is a. sectional view of the manually operative gas closures or valves.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a stationary member is indicated as a whole by 10. Stationary member 10 is provided with a series of four cylinders 11, 12, 1? and 14 preferably cast en bloc. Within each cylinder is a reciprocating iston 15. Each of the pistons 15 is connecte( by a piston rod 16 to a crank 17 which is formed on the shaft 18. On each rotation of the shaft 18, the crank 17 reeiprocates the piston rods 16, and thereby causes the pistons 15 to reciIn-ocate in the cylinders in exact sequence. As shown, in cylinder 11, the stroke of the piston rod has brought the piston head and cylinder head in Contact; the piston in cylinder 129is con'ipleting the oom-- pression stroke; the'piston in cylinder 13 has completed the suction stroke and is about to begin the com pression stroke. The position of the. piston in cylinder 14 is not shown, but it follows that it is moving outwardly on the suction stroke and drawing in a marge of the gas mixture.

The combustion chambers 19 may be cast u Moc integrally with the stationary memvv her 10. or may be separatelyvmade and a scnibled as shown in the drawing, the usual gras tight Voint being provided to prevent leakage. lilor the purpose of assisting in cooling the combustion chan'ibers, I have shown them provided with cooling pins 2l), driven into constricted bores. However, cooling flanges may be cast integral with the combustion chambers. In my construction an air current is blown over the combustion chambers by a fan later described.

A rotatable shell 21 is preferably cast as one piece with arms 22, which latter are provided with extensions 23 to form fan blades. These fan blades blow a current of air over the combustion chambers. The arms are formed integral with a hub 24, which is shrunk on or otherwise suitably secured to the shaft 18. The casing 21 revolves free from any contactwith stationary member 10`-v but carries-within it the element 2?, which may'be described as au impact member, and the closure band 26, the latter being preferably made in sections to allow for temperature expansion. The band and the impact member are held in contact with the periphery of the. stationary member l0, and revolve around it on a narrow traclv Way 27, and move over the discharge openings of the combustion chambers. The frictional binding 'is limited to these small surfaces and offers little resistance to the revo- 1tion of the shell. The closure band 21' 1s intended to close the discharge openings of the combustion chambers during the cone pression of the gas* mixture in the combustion chamber.

To 'retain the closure band in close contact with the discharge openings, springs 28 are employed. Springs 28 surround posts 29 fori'ued on the closure band, and are interposed between .shell 21 and the closure band. Posts 29 extend through apertures formed in the' shell 21 and project beyond the surface thereof. As the closure of the combustion chambers during the compression must be positive to retain the closure band in intimate contact at the great speed of the rotatable member in consequence of the develolmient of centrifugal force which at times may exceed the resisting ell'ort of the spring 28l employ a eentrifugally oper ated mechanism. This mechanism comprises pivoted levers 30 having one arm resting upon the ends of posts 29 and a weight 31 disposed upon. the ol her arm. As the speed increases the weight 31 tends to more outwardly willi greater ellort and exert a greater pressure on the posts 29 through the medium of levers 250. YIn this manner lV eniploy the centrifugal action to depress the 4posts 29, so that an equal pressure is ron- Stantly bearing on the closure band. and the speed :.uilomatiffall)r and selectively lll-trs"- mines the :necessary preneur on the l-losure hand The weight.; 5l ure slicluhly mueble on the. lever lll 1o allow adjustment against a too great lrivtlomll binding;r ol' the closure band; when snel pole( has been detre' t0 prx'nlu'c the proper pressurej llun are permanently fixed against afrirleonl msplaceuwnt by bolts Elfi.

itV will be noled that the shell il is in effect a fly/wheel and that in heavy eil-- gines an extension thereoll to any desired extent may be provided. Loosely held in a recess formed within the shell 21 is the impact member 25 which is somewhat smaller in dimensions than the recess to allow for temperature expansion. Its forward abut ment is in direct close Contact with the casinsr 2l. or the forward Wall of the recess, so that the impact force of the explosion is communicated to the rotative member er actly as though il were a part thereof. The lower 'face of tlu` impact member ridesV met' the disclmrge openingsy of the combustion chambers and is fut with a transverse series of serrations 33 against which the impact force is directed. These serrations are preferably formed fully within the impact mem ber and riding over the discharge openings of the combustion chambers form a confined space against which the force or impact of theexploded mixture is imparted in full.

At 34 is shown an air compressor acted upon by a crank 35 of adjustable length and forming a part of shaft 18. The compressor 3l feeds air lo an air storage tank 36, by means of a pipe 37, the usual puppet valve being employed to retain the compressed air therein. If an excess of the required pressure is developed in the storage tank, a regulating valve may be employed to dispose of the excess pressure. From the storage tank the compressed air passes into a pipe 38 circlin the outer side of stationary member 10, t e method of its use being explained later.

The gas mixture from the carbureter may be admitted into the cylinders by any of the. usual methods, but. I employ my novel disk means, as shown in Figs, 1, 2, 3 and 6. The rotation of the Shaft 18 revolves the bevel gear 39 which in turn rotates four smaller bevel ears 40 and the, spur gears 41 and 42 to eect a rotation of the disk vulve 43 in exact ratio-each revolution of the shaft through the train of gears causing one revolution of the disk 43. Disk 43 is rotatably seated in a recess formed on the inner face of the cylinder head 44 so to be held hy the spring 45 in close contact and to be of even thickness with the depth of the recess in which it is seated. so that no pocket may be formed to retain gas mixture, nor projection to prevent the piston head from forming an intimate contact with the inner space of the cylinder head.

The disk 43 rotates continuously in one direction and has one opening 4G bored through it, which in its revolution registers in turn with a port from pipe 4T to admit a charge of gas mixture into the cylinder, closes the port by presenting its solid part thereto to allow for compression and ignition, and continues its rotation until its opening, registers with the air port from pipe 3R for scavenging with the compressed air. As shown in Fig. 3, the pipes 38 and 47 end in ports formed on the inner face of the cylinder head, the ports extending a distance which is gaged to the need of time of admission of the compressed air and the mixture; the mixture requiring a longer time for the suction thereof into the cylinder, having a greater length of port of the air pipe which supplies air under pressure. The opening 46 in the disk 43, .passing under these port-s, automatically and for the propel' period allows the-passage through it of the mixture and of the an'.

The air in itsl compressed form is maintained at a uniform pressure in pip'e 3H which is supplied from the storage tank 36. When the engine is not in operation, if an opening in a ,disk valve should register with anair port, air would flow from the air tank through the combustion chamher to the exhaust and the storage tank 36 `wouldsoon be drained of all its air. To )revent this escape` I use a control valve 48, Ng. 2, in the mam air iipe., which normally is closed when the sha t is not rotating and is open during rotation. This vcontrollable action is obtained by means of a governor 49 actuated by pulley wheels from the main shaft 18. The governor4 arms 5() are normally closed when the engine is not running and the control valve, therefore, isi

held upon its seat at such time, thereby shutting oil the supply of air to pipe 38. When shaft 18 rotates, the.ar1ns 50 y outwardly and draw the control valve from its seat thereby connecting the storage tank 3U and the main air pipe 38.

The cylinders 1l, 12, 13 and 14 may he of'lighter and cheaper material than in the ordinary type of recilnocating engine iu which explosion occurs in the cylinders. As the purpose of the cylinder in my env gine is simply to compress the gas mixture, their weight may be reatly reduced.

Between the cylin ers and the combustion chamber an admission port 51 is formed in the cylinder walls. Controlling this port` is a valve 52 which is automatically acted upon by difference of pressure to open and close the port. as required, the action ot' which will be later described.

The packing of pistons 15 of any suitable material to form closure. against compression. In one torni ot' the lightest type ol' my motor, as shown in l `igs. l and 5, the closure of the port into the combustion chamber is etiected by the aid ot' thc piston head without. the intel-position of any valve. In such types the upper piston rnpr is of metal, but the very small arca subject to the explosion impact is of no great. consequence. In this type of motor as shown in Fig. 5, the port 51 is placed at one side of the combustion chamber. whereby at. each impact a slight turning of the lpiston head presents a new surface, there y preventing wear or overheating of the piston ring. In the ty )e of motor in which I use the, puppet valve 51', the material for the piston ring may be of other composition than metal.

The piston head and the cylinder head must be in intimate contact 'at the con clusion of the compression ot' the gas mixture, and to avoid the clashing of the sur faces, I employ two means, one ot' which is a composition covering 52S on the piston head ot' slightly lyielding material which acts as a buer therebetween. The other means resides iu au accurate adjustment ot the piston rod 1G. ln Fig. 7, the preferred form of rod construction is shown. The upper part of the rod has a ball M fitted into a. socket 55 which may be tightened by a bolt and nut or other suitable means to allow a 'free movement of the ball in the socket. and yet be firm enough to prevent4 looscness of action. The stem 56 is screwed into the sleeve 57 to allow adjustment of the piston. The sleeve 57 has slidably mounted therein the stem 58 and is limited in its movement by the pin 59 which is fixed to the stem 58 and which extends through the slot 60. Inclosed within the sleeve is a spring 61, which n'iaintains the stem 58 fully extended, and the spring tension is of such strength as to he inoperative against the compression force. In practice the piston head is brought in close contact with the cylinder head by turningr the crank shaft until' the piston head is at its fullest extension; thil stein .313 is then turned to screw in or out ihr li-we 57 until proper adjustment if: made, the set screws (i2 being then tightened ti retain the adjustment when made. Should iiusur faces meet with greater impar-t than nei-es-Y sary, the spring til will thru :ut as a resilient butl'er.

l will now describe thc action nl' thc motor in operation. The shaft 1H being rotated, the piston rods 16 disposed on tluI crank 17 are drawn in and out of the cylinder in exact sequence. ln Fig. 1 thc piston in cylindclll has just completed contact with its cylinder head. The impact member 25 is in exact position for the firing charge which has been ignited by thc brush spring contact: (i3 mounted on the rcfolnblc shell 21, making contact withlthc contact t'i-l mounted upon the )cripherjf ol thi,- stationary member lt). 'llicse ueuilwi'- rc ciectrically connected with theI bain-v i, which may be of the usual construction. 'iln` con-- tart lil. may he grounded i'if maturi (if), is insulated The spi-in; foutu- 22K lieinglr electrically cminected with onta-i ill com pletes a circuit through spart; ping mi and produces a spark in the rit-mii anion rhumber 19. Each of the other comi istiou chambers is provided with a similar znnition circuit. Any other suitable ignition system may be used.

The piston head in cylindoi il has now begun to move ontwartlly4 and tint: port 4t; in disk L13 now being in register with the air ports allows compressed air to ilow from the pipe 38 into the cylinder and pass over the piston head through port Sil. pushing back as it does so the valve 3:3. whence it passes through combustion chamber 1U; by this time the impact member 2:3 has advanced and its serrations i open .i 'a ay for the escape of the air, turningr the dead gases into the trough (i7, which is connected with the exhaust pipe surroundingr the stationary member and whose outer end is shown at 68.

The piston houd has by thi:-l tiuie moved the short distance to the lower edge ot' port 51, the airports closing and the gas ports registering with the bore 4G in disk 43. The movement of the piston draws in the gas mixture and by suction closes the valve 52 until the piston has reached the tiull extent of its stroke, whereupon the gas port closes and the compression stroke of the piston takes place. As the piston head reaches contact With the cylinder, the compressed mixture has been full-y forced into the combustion chamberl and it is evident that all pressure against the valve, 52 on the cylinder side, has reverted to full pressure back of it in the combustion chamber, it, therefore, is pressed into its sent. At'the moment of contact between the cylinder head and piston head, the brush contact fires the charge.

The, shaft action continuing, the piston in cylinder 12 closes. the impact member advances to its firing point for said; cylinder, explosion occurs, and so on in regular succession to cylinders 13 and 14 and again to cylinder 11, the cycle again being repeated.

At times in the oleration of light loads, it may not be desirable to use the full force ot' the engine, in which case the inlet of gas mixture to one or more cylinders may be shut oil. To do this I employ manually operated gas valves which are interposed in the main )ipe 47 and are indicated by 69 and 70. eferring particularly to Fig. 8 the valve shown is of the plug` type having three ways, and the valve casing having an opening to the atmosphere. In the sition valve [$9 is shown, the gas is admltted to the cylinder. In the position shown by valve T0, the cylinder is connected to the atmosphere and gas mixture is Cut off. It; is evident that it' the gas valves were of the ordinary type, the closure of the gas mixture supply pipe would cause a strain on the piston rod in operating against the vacuum that would be, formed in the cylinders. This is overcome by forming a way lin the valve which is connected to the atmosphere whenthe gas mixture is shut ofi'. The form above here shown is for a stationary engine, but in vehicles or aeroplanes, a series of handles on the instrument board may be provided to control the valves. K

The fan blades 23 formed on the arma 22 mayY in general be relied upon to 've full air cooling, but I may use on some orms of engines an auxiliary fan 71. This fan is mounted on the shaft 18 and has a greater speed than the shaft by reason of the pulleys T2. 78, T-l and 75.

lt will be noticed that an economical feature of operation is that the usual oil in the cylinders is not required and that I, therefore, eliminate the complications of oil pump splash system, or other method incident to tie use of oil. Another advantage is that the gases' exploded clear of oil are freer of carbon. The motor is cooled by air permitting a further reduction in Weight, and reduction in complicated structure and cost'l of manufacture is efected.

What I claim is i l l. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a combustion chamber, means :for suppl` ing a, chargeA thereto, said chamber provi ed with a discharge outlet, means for igniting the charge in said combustion chamber, a rotatable shell surroundin said chamber, a closure band in said she l, and an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet for being impelled by the discharge of gases from said combustion chamber, said impact envases 'member being movably mounted in said shell to allow for temperature changes.

2. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a combustion chamber having a discharge outlet, a rotatable shell surroundin said chamber, a closure band in said she l, a compressor independent of and communicating with said combustion chamber, said compressor being for compressing acharge of an explosive mixture and supplying the same to said combustion chamber, means for igniting the charge in said combustion chamber, and an impact member movable abreast of said dischar e outlet, said impact member being mova ly mounted in said shell to allow for temperature changes.

3. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination ol a stationary member provided with a combustion chamber having a discharge outlet, a compressor for compressing a charge and feeding the Same tosaid combustion chamber, a rotatable shell, an impact member nuwable abreast of said discharge outlet, said impact member Vheilig movably mounted in said shell to allow for tenipcrature changes, ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber, means for closing said discharge outlet prior to ignition, and means to cut oli' communication between said coinpressor and said combustion chamber While ignition takes place.

4. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationarv member provided with a combustion chamber having a discharge outlet, means for supplying a compressed explosive mixture to'said chamber, a rotatable shell, an impact member movable abreast of said outlet, said impact member being movably mounted .in said shell to allow for temperature changes, meansfor ignitiug the contents oi Said chamber, and means for admitting conipressed air to said combustion chamber for expelling the burnt gases therefrom.

5. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a combustion member having a combustion chamber pro vided with a discharge outlet, ignition means for the Ycharge in said combustion chamber, an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, a compressor for compressing and supplying an explosive, mixture to said combustion chamber. a sour of compressed air, a source of fuel,

valve means for connecting said source of,

compressed air and said source ot fuel to said compressor, said .valve means admitting compressed air to said compressor and therethrough to said combustion chamber after ignition of the mixture and While said impact member is abreast of said discharge outlet, and Closure means to maintain said discharge outlet closed while said impact surfaces are not abreast of said discharge openings.

6. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member having a combustion chamber provided with a discharge outlet. on its periphery. ignition means i'or the charge in said combustion chamber, a rotary member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, a compressor for compressing and supplying an explosive mixture to said combustion chamber, a source of compressed air, a source of fuel, valve means for connecting said source of compressed air and said source of fuel to said compressor, said valve means admitting compressed air to said compressor and therethrough to said combustion chamber after ignition of the charge and while said impact member is abreast ot' said discharge outlet, and a closure band revolubly disl'iosed over the periphery oi said stationary member and fixed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge out,- let closed while said impact member is not abreast of said discharge outlet.

7. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the con'ibination of a` stationary member having a combustion chamber provided with a discharge outlet on its periphery. ignition means for the Charge in said combustiolrchanibel, a rotary member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, a compressor for compressing and supplying an explosivel mixture to said combustion chamber, a source of couipressed air, :i source of fuel, valve means for connecting Isaid source of compressed air and said source. oi' t'uel to said compressor, said valve means admitting compressed air to said compressor and therethrough to said combustion chamber after ignition ot the charge and while said impart member is abreast oi'l said discharge oullei` a closure band revolubl v disposed over the periphery ot' said stationair)v member and fixed to said rotatable member` said closure band maintaining said discharge outlct closed while said impact member is not abreast of said outlet. and eentrit'ugally operated means to force said band toward the periphery of said stationary 4member.

8. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member having a combustion chamber provided with a discharge outlet on its periphery, ignition means for the charge in said eombistion chamber, a rotary member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, a compressor for compressing and supplying an explosive mixture 'to said combustion chamber, a source of compressed air, a source of fuel, valve means for connecting said source of compressed air and said source of fuel to said compressor, said valve means admitting compressed air to said compressor and therethrough to said combustion chamber after ignition of the charge and while said impact member is abreast of said discharge outlet, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery of said stationary member and fixed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge outlet, closed while said impact member is not abreast of said outlet, a lever pivotally mounted on said rotatable member, one arm of said lever weighted and the other arm linked to said band so to transmit the centrifugal force into pressure for holding said band on its seat.

9. The combination of a revoluble band which is radially movable, a rotatable member for revolving said" band, a lever pivotally mounted on said rotatable member, one arm of said lever being weighted and the other arm linked to said band so as to transmit the ntrifugal force into pressure for holdinor said band on its seat,

1 0. rotary internal combustion engine comprising a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder therein, a piston rccipro eating in said cylinder, a rotatable crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a' combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thereof, said combustion chamber, a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member movabic'abrcast of said discharge outlet, said impact member being movably mounted in said rotatable member to allow for temperature changes, and ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber.

11. A rotary internal combustion engine coniprising the combination of a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder thereY in, a piston` reciprocating in said cylinder, a rotatable crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said` piston, a. combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thereof, said combustion chamber having a discharge outlet, a rotatable member, an impact member movable abreast of said discharge opening, said impact member beingl movably mounted in said rotatable member to allow for tempel ture changes, ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber, and a closure member disposed to closesaid discharge outlet while said impact member is not abreast thereof. A

12. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder there in, a piston reciprocating in said cylinder, a rotatable crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thel'ef. said coinbustimi chamber having a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber, a closure member disposed to close said discharge outlet while said impact memVv ber is not abreast thereof, a source oi' compressed air, a source of fuel, valve means to control the supply of compressed air and fuel to said cylinder, said valve means plac ing the source of compressed air in communication with said cylinder before said closure member closes said discharge outlct,.

thereby scavenging the combustion chamber.

13. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder therein, a piston reciprocating in saitl cylii'i'der, a rotatable crank, a piston rod coiinecting said crank and said piston, a combination chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thereof, said combustion chamber having a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery of said stationary member and xed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge outlet closed while said impact member is not abreast of said opening.

14. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder therein, a piston reciprocating in said cylinder` a rotatable crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thereof, said combustion chamber having a discharge outlet` a rotatablc member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, igni tion means for the. charge in said combustion chamber, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery of said stationary member and iixed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge outlet closed while said impact menu ber is not abreast of said outlet, and cen` trifugally operated means to force said band toward the periphery oty said stationary member.

15. A rotary internal combustion engine, comprising the combination of a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder therein, a piston reciprocating in said cylinder, a rotatable crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but inde jendent thereof. said combustion chamber liaving a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, ignition means for the charge in said comll il bastion chamber, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery ol' said stationary member aud tixed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge outlet closed while said impact member is not abreast ol said opening, a lever pivotally mounted on said rotatable member one arm ol said lever beingl weighted and the other arm linked to said ba d,so as to transmit the centrifugal torce int pressure for holding said band on its seat.

1G. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination ot' a stationary member, a iadially disposed cylinder therein, a. piston reciprocating' in said cylinder, a rotatable rranlif` a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent` thereof, said combustion chamber ha ring a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member lnovable abreast ot' said discharge outlet, ignition meansl for the charge in said combustion chamber, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery of said stationary member and fixed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge outlet closed while said impact member is not abreast of said opening, a source of compressed air. a source of fuel, valve means to control the supply of coin ressed air and fuel to said cylinder, sai Valve means placing the source of compressed air in communication with said cylinder before said closure member closes said discharge outlet, thereby scavenging the cylinder.

17. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member` a radially disposed cylinder therein, a piston reciprocating in 'said cylinder, a rota-table crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thereof, said combustion chamber having a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery of said stationary member and fixed to said rotatable member,'said clo- .sure band maintaining' said discharge outlet closed while said impact member is not abreast of said outlet, centrit'ugally operated means to force said band toward the periphery of said stationary member. a source of compressed air, a source of fuel, valve means to control the supply of compressed air and fuel to said cylinder` said valve means placing the source of compressed air in communication with said cylinder before. saidclosure member closes said discharge outlet thereby scavenging the cylinder.

18. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a stationary member, a radially disposed cylinder therein, a piston reciprocating in said cylinder` a rotatable crank, a piston rod connecting said crank and said piston, a combustion chamber communicating with said cylinder but independent thereof, said coinbustion chamber having a discharge outlet, a rotatable member having an impact member movable abreast of said discharge outlet, ignition means for the charge in said combustion chamber, a closure band revolubly disposed over the periphery of said stationary member and fixed to said rotatable member, said closure band maintaining said discharge outlet closed while said impact member is not abreast of said outlet, a lever pivotally mounted on said rotatable member, one arm of said lever being Weighted and the other arm linked to said band so as to transmit the centrifugal force into pressure for holding said band on its seat, a source of conipressed air, a source of fuel, valve means to control the supply of compressed air and fuel to said cylinder, said valve means placing the source of compressed air in communication with said cylinder before said closure member closes said discharge outlet, thereby scaven ing the cylinder.

In witness t at I claim the foregoin I have hereunto subscribed my name this th day of June, 1917.

JASMIN PIERRE BERGERON. 

